Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
Another FNR. Another without incident. Another without rain. I wonder if there will be negative karma soon.
The Smoke seemed quiet - relatively. Not much drama at the station. Not much traffic. South Bank subdued. Few skaters at Skate Space. Although minor entertainment provided by a few clusters of youngish females wearing bandages for skirts who struggled to stay upright at Embankment station.
Passed through the East End along C3 and C2, leisurely drifting through Stratford and Ilford. Cycle paths were being well-used for the time, yet many seemed to be delivery cyclists and many without lights and more than one running red lights. Not us, we were in no hurry. Turn north and east in the rural essex countryside towards Doddinghurst.
I am now very chilled. The forecast was a low of 7°. Gizmo now tells me for 2½ hours, it was below 7° and between 5° and 1° for 1½ hours. At a re-group stop - for we were in no hurry - I added my extra layer that I had hoped not to use until Doddinghurst. When in motion we kept a gentle pace and with no hills, it was difficult to stay warm. Maybe I should have paid heed to @tdk27's attire plans. And having ridden on more than 40 FNR's, maybe I should know better than think the forecasters might be correct.
The scouts of Doddinghurst provided superb sustenance. In their heated hall. And in uniform. An hour or so later we departed with a lightening sky towards Stock and it's mill. The tandem of Tim H easily traversed the ford where previous riders have come a cropper. Regrouping at a minor junction, a star or planet perhaps, was spotted in the cloudless sky. Not a star, it was not twinkling, nor a plane as it was not moving. Our amateur astrologer categorically denounced it being venus, checked his sky map app but it was not there - we are none the wiser. Through a wood and around a bend, suddenly blinded by intense sunlight, not just from above but also the reflection from the reservoir. Another re-group, pictures taken - we were in no hurry.
At Battlesbridge, a most picturesque view either side of the bridge, the Fridays Camera Club came out in full force, along with rising sun. Along lovely country lanes, through Rayleigh onto Hadleigh. I thought the stereotypical essex driver was myth or exaggeration. Sadly not. After Greg's preposterous and unconfirmed yet welcome diversion of Hadleigh Castle's history, a swift downhill, along the shore, past the pier and into 'Spoons for breakfast and hydration.
Another happy ride. Faces new and old - hello to @Domus, it has been a while. Good to see a healthy turnout of Enigmas. And I received a FNR sticker. As pointed out by @Dogtrousers previously, the irony is immense. And like our founder, I have no rear mudguard, so where to place my colourful sticker?
The Smoke seemed quiet - relatively. Not much drama at the station. Not much traffic. South Bank subdued. Few skaters at Skate Space. Although minor entertainment provided by a few clusters of youngish females wearing bandages for skirts who struggled to stay upright at Embankment station.
Passed through the East End along C3 and C2, leisurely drifting through Stratford and Ilford. Cycle paths were being well-used for the time, yet many seemed to be delivery cyclists and many without lights and more than one running red lights. Not us, we were in no hurry. Turn north and east in the rural essex countryside towards Doddinghurst.
I am now very chilled. The forecast was a low of 7°. Gizmo now tells me for 2½ hours, it was below 7° and between 5° and 1° for 1½ hours. At a re-group stop - for we were in no hurry - I added my extra layer that I had hoped not to use until Doddinghurst. When in motion we kept a gentle pace and with no hills, it was difficult to stay warm. Maybe I should have paid heed to @tdk27's attire plans. And having ridden on more than 40 FNR's, maybe I should know better than think the forecasters might be correct.
The scouts of Doddinghurst provided superb sustenance. In their heated hall. And in uniform. An hour or so later we departed with a lightening sky towards Stock and it's mill. The tandem of Tim H easily traversed the ford where previous riders have come a cropper. Regrouping at a minor junction, a star or planet perhaps, was spotted in the cloudless sky. Not a star, it was not twinkling, nor a plane as it was not moving. Our amateur astrologer categorically denounced it being venus, checked his sky map app but it was not there - we are none the wiser. Through a wood and around a bend, suddenly blinded by intense sunlight, not just from above but also the reflection from the reservoir. Another re-group, pictures taken - we were in no hurry.
At Battlesbridge, a most picturesque view either side of the bridge, the Fridays Camera Club came out in full force, along with rising sun. Along lovely country lanes, through Rayleigh onto Hadleigh. I thought the stereotypical essex driver was myth or exaggeration. Sadly not. After Greg's preposterous and unconfirmed yet welcome diversion of Hadleigh Castle's history, a swift downhill, along the shore, past the pier and into 'Spoons for breakfast and hydration.
Another happy ride. Faces new and old - hello to @Domus, it has been a while. Good to see a healthy turnout of Enigmas. And I received a FNR sticker. As pointed out by @Dogtrousers previously, the irony is immense. And like our founder, I have no rear mudguard, so where to place my colourful sticker?
